Topic: its official: PSP for $150 -> Nintendo shocked ?!

[McBane]

Hi folks,

Sony has official announced their PSP launch prices:

PSP 19800 Yen
http://www.scei.co.jp/corporate/release/pdf/041027a.pdf

PSP + MS Duo + remote headphone = 24800 yen
http://www.scei.co.jp/corporate/release/pdf/041027b.pdf


Looks like Sony is really serious with overtaking the market .....

[Rhoq]

Shocking, yes.

$150, no.

19,800 Yen translates into roughly $185 US.

Here's my take on the situation...


Sony is scared. If the PSP debuts in the US at a reasonable price point ($199 or less) that should be prima facie evidence that they acknowledge Nintendo's position in the handheld console market and are desparate to cut into Nintendo's sales with their new system. The DS is intriguing. A month away from launch the system is still a mystery. It is this mystique, combined with Nintendo's new "attitude" and marketing to adult gamers that will help sell the DS through the time the PSP debuts in the US.

If the PSP arrives to stores with a retail price that is much lower than originally expected then this will certainly level the playing field for both systems to compete with one another.

The DS will be successful because it not only will have a headstart getting to consumers, especially for the crucial holiday season, but also because of the unique gaming experiences that the DS has the potential to provide.

The PSP will be successful because it's a Sony product bearing the "PlayStation" name. PSOne/PS2 fanboys will guarantee the system's success and unfortunately this spells trouble for Nintendo. The DS will really need to impress in order to keep Nintendo on top of the handheld market. Unfortunately, a lower PSP price point means the systems will be more accessible, making it almost as affordable as the DS - and a lot more appealing to the average consumer.

Things just got a lot more interesting and if $185 (or even $199) is true, then I will more than likely buy a PSP when it comes out. I have no regrets for pre-ordering the Nintendo DS, I am still very much looking forward to experiencing Nintendo's latest handheld. I just hope they don't get their asses handed to them this time around. Sony did once. Sony did it twice. Third time's a charm. I don't think is a blow that Nintendo is in a position to handle right now. They really need to get aggressive, and take Sony on - headfirst with their guns drawn and ready to start bustin' caps in SCEA's over-inflated ass!


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Also, this thread should probably be moved into the "Other Systems" Forum of PGC

[joshnickerson]

I wonder how much loss Sony is going to take for every PSP, especially since the original speculated price was over $300...

[Bill Aurion]

I'm actually not that surprised at this for some reason...I actually think it's quite funny that Sony is willing to take the risk of losing money on its systems to try and break into the handheld market...But just because the console prices are similar there are two things that Sony has yet to break:  battery life and game prices...From what I can see PSP games will range 40-50 dollars, while DS games are at 30...Estimated battery life at 4-6 hours(which still seems exaggerated to me) versus 8-10 for the DS...And there's absolutely no way Sony is going to make me buy extra batteries...(and memory cards...bah)

(And why did you think it was necessary to post this in GAMECUBE discussion when it belongs in Other Systems?)

[nitsu niflheim]

Still too much for me right now.  Maybe next year, and only if there is more than 1 game available that will interest me.  

[Ian Sane]

Bravo to Sony.  It shows that they aren't as cocky and foolish as they look.  I imagine they're taking a huge loss on this but I think it'll be worth it in the longrun.  Price was really the biggest hurdle they had.  Now they have a more powerful system for roughly the same price as the "underpowered" DS.  That's a big pro for them.

Of course battery life is still a big issue but I always felt a high price was the biggest problem.

We officially have competition in the portable market.

[McBane]

@Rhoq:
You're right, I    erroneously set 1 EUR = 1 USD , but actually it is 1 EUR = 1.28 USD.

It was said in the past that production costs should be arround 380 $.
If thats true sony would lose more money on every sold PSP unit than MS did with Xbox.

Anyway Nintendo have to drop the price, if they dont wanna get knocked out again.

btw. 'LOL' -> http://img93.exs.cx/img93/9247/kutaowned.jpg

[DrZoidberg]

This has nothing to do with gamecube.